Lubbock Economic Development Alliance CEO John Osborne, left, presents a check to the Lubbock Independent School District with Terri Duncan, LEDA director of workforce development and LISD Superintendent Berhl Robertson looking on.

The Lubbock Economic Development Alliance presented a $30,431 check to the Lubbock Independent School District Tuesday to purchase new equipment, like the dual processing welder pictured here, for its welding program at the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center.

Last year, the Lubbock Independent School District turned 50 students away from its welding program at the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center for lack of space and resources. Next year, they hope to be adding 100 more.

Thanks to a $30,431 grant the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance presented to LISD Tuesday, the school district will add one teacher to the program and purchase at least seven new pieces of equipment in time for the rollout of House Bill 5, which places a renewed emphasis on career technical education.

LEDA CEO John Osborne said the grant stemmed from a demand for more workers with specialized skills in the manufacturing industry. Businesses have said they could double in size if they had the right workers.

Osborne recently took a tour of the Byron Martin ATC facility and saw kids engaged in hands-on projects and excited about being in class.

“It was almost like no other classroom environment I’d ever seen,” he said.

Kyle Dunn, a Coronado High School senior, gave his view of the welding program, saying it helped him decide what he wants to do in life as someone who always needs to be working with his hands.

Superintendent Berhl Robertson praised the grant and said the district will be purchasing four dual processing welders and two aluminum welders with the money. The grant also allows them to consider purchasing a metal lathe sometime down the road.

“I can’t wait personally to see what our students do with this equipment,” Robertson said.

And the machines won’t just enable students to hone in on their welding skills, he said. Geometry, precision and dimension will be reinforced, as well as character, work ethic and taking pride in work.

LEDA Workforce Development Director Terri Duncan said LISD has a history of asking, “What can we do for the business community?” She also hinted the community may see many more similar partnerships between LEDA and the school district in light of HB 5 graduation requirements, where students will specialize in one of five endorsements — STEM, business and industry, public services, arts and humanities or multidisciplinary studies.

“We could stand up here all day — John, Terri and myself,” Robertson said. “But really what matters is Kyle Dunn.”